The “Black Doves” are expanding.
Season 2 of Netflix’s pulpy London spy thriller series — created by Joe Barton, led by Keira Knightley and also starring Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire — is now in production, and has recruited more names into it secretive, and rather violent, ranks.
Ambika Mod (“One Day”) joins the show as Laila, an acerbic and anarchic Black Doves agent who is sent to help Knightley’s agent Helen on a mission. Meanwhile, Babou Ceesay (“Alien: Earth”) plays Mr. Conteh, a Black Doves executive with suspicious motivations and Sam Riley (“Firebrand”) plays Patrick, an emissary from a mysterious organisation, who offers Whishaw’s Sam a lifeline. Neve Campbell (“Scream”) also joins the cast as Cecile Mason.
Additional casting includes; Sylvia Hoeks (“Blade Runner 2049”) playing Katia Chernov, Goran Kostic (“Canary Black,” “Ant-Man and The Wasp”) playing Alexi Chernov and Samuel Barnett (“Lee”) playing Jerry.
Alongside returnees Knightley, Whishaw and Lancashire, season 1’s Andrew Buchan, Kathryn Hunter, Ella Lily Hyland, Gabrielle Creevy, Agnes O’Casey and Molly Chesworth are also back for a second round of espionage and bloodshed.
The plot will see Knightley’s super-spy Helen still betraying her nation’s secrets to the covert Black Doves organisation, but this time with her in-the-dark husband Wallace (Buchan) preparing to become U.K. Prime Minister. As her enigmatic handler Mrs Reed (Lancashire) is ensnared in a ruthless plot to undermine her position, Helen is reunited with her best friend Sam (Whishaw). But the once high-end triggerman is now reduced to lonely drinks in Soho bars and low-rate hits. As they search for answers, loyalties are weaponised, trust is shattered, and the fight to protect the people they love could cost everything.
“I couldn’t be more excited to delve back into the world of our murderous little spy family,” said Barton. “To have so many of our amazing cast returning and also being able to add some of my absolute favourite actors into the mix is such a great joy. Downing Street will never be the same again…”
Jane Featherstone and Chris Fry, executive producers at production company, Sister added: “It’s a thrill to be back in Joe Barton’s world of love, lies and espionage, and to be partnering once again with Netflix on ‘Black Doves.’ Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire have packed away the Christmas jumpers, and are set to return in spectacular form, joined by some season one favourites, and a brilliant new cast who bring wit, danger and a few perfectly timed surprises. Season two is bigger, bolder – and just as delightfully unpredictable.”
Added Netflix U.K.’s vice president of content Anne Mensah: “To say we are over excited about welcoming the ‘Black Doves’ team back to Netflix would be an understatement. This is what happens when best in class writing meets best in class directing and extraordinary acting in a dark alley with guns and champagne. We couldn’t be more thrilled and we know the ‘Black Doves’ fandom is waiting!”
“Black Doves” is a Sister (“This is Going to Hurt,” “The Split”) and Noisy Bear (“Amadeus, Giri/Haji”) production, with exec producers including Featherstone and Fry for Sister alongside Knightley, and Barton for Noisy Bear. The season 2 directors are Julian Farino (“Amadeus,” “Giri/Haj”i), Kieron Hawkes (“Red Eye,” “Fortitude”). The series producer is Callum Devrell-Cameron (“Lord of the Flies”).